In the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, Dhul Hijjah marks the final month of the year.
It is also a time blessed by Allah (SWT). A chance for us to gain immense rewards, even more so than Ramadan.
In the Quran, Allah (SWT) swears an oath by these first 10 days, as told in Surah Al-Fajr: “By the dawn, and by the ten nights…” (Quran 89:1-2)
As the Creator, Allah (SWT) does not swear an oath by something unless it provides great benefit to us, mankind, as His creations.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) also emphasises the importance of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah as the best days of the year. The time when good deeds are most beloved to Allah (SWT).
These days include the Day of Arafah, the greatest day of the year, and the days that host the important events of Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, and Eid al-Adha, the “festival of sacrifice”, where Qurban takes place.
Qurban means sacrifice. Every year during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – a goat, sheep, cow or camel – to reflect the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ismail, for the sake of God.
After the animal has been sacrificed, its meat is then distributed to those most in need. Donating Qurban is obligatory for every Muslim who is financially able to do so.
There are also Qurban rules which dictate which animals can be sacrificed, the quality of the life it has led, its health status and guidelines on how the sacrifice must be carried out.
Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) had passed the ultimate test – he was willing to give up what he loved most for the sake of Allah (SWT).
It is for this reason that we commemorate his sacrifice by offering an animal (a sheep, goat, or cow) for slaughter and sharing a portion of its meat with those in need during the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah (Qurban).
The first ten days of Dhul Hijjah are the most sacred days of the year, loved by Allah (SWT). By giving quality assured Qurban, you can reap the rewards of this blessed month and serve those in need.
Here at Islamic Relief, we ensure that only the finest quality meat is used – all sacrificed according to Prophetic tradition. We do not compromise on quality and work with local suppliers to help local economies thrive.
Thanks to people like you, in 2025, our global family was able to reach over 3 million vulnerable people for Qurban across 30 countries. Alhamdulillah, your donations provided a critical source of protein to vulnerable families and individuals across the globe.
We prioritise widows, orphans, the destitute, the elderly, people with disabilities, refugees, and disaster-affected populations, generally people who cannot afford to buy meat often, and whose diet is lacking in calories and nutrients.
For many people, this is the only time they can eat meat all year round. You can also find out more about how Islamic Relief distributes Qurban meat in the frequently asked questions below.
In 2026, Qurban distributions will aim to reach more people than ever before. By donating your Qurban to Islamic Relief, you will enable the world’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in over 30 countries to enjoy Eid.
Eid al-Adha is expected to fall on the evening of Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with the Eid prayer taking place on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon.
The Arabic words Qurban or Udhiya refer to a sacrifice done to come close to God, honouring the momentous act of submission that Prophet Ibrahim made. Every year, during Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world slaughter an animal – typically a sheep, goat, camel, or cow – to commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim and his willingness to sacrifice what he loved most for the sake of Allah (SWT).
To ensure the funds are distributed to those in need in the regions where we work in, we do not provide the option of selecting a country. We predetermine the number of livestock for every country within each region, so that the needs of every country and the region are served.
As part of a global family of Islamic Relief offices, Islamic Relief Australia fulfils Qurban distributions in select countries, while other partners serve other selected countries. This ensures that the needs of multiple communities are met simultaneously, and that no country where we work is left out! This means that even though some countries are not listed on the Qurban options on our website, it does not mean that they are not being helped.
Qurban is obligatory upon every able adult who has wealth in excess to their needs. Normally, those who are eligible to pay Zakat should give a Qurban.
The animals used are livestock animals, such as sheep, goats, cows, or buffalo.
1 sheep or goat = 1 Qurban
1 cow or buffalo = 7 Qurbans (one Qurban –one-seventh of the animal)
Since the selection of animals depends on the availability and customs of each region, we do not provide the option of selecting your animal of choice at the time of donation. Animals are instead pre-allocated within each region. We ensure that the animals are healthy, free from blindness and chronic sickness or disease or from any apparent ailment, and that they are of a fit age.
While the price for livestock animals differs from country to country, we base our price on the average calculated of those countries’ prices within each region. This price includes all costs associated with fulfilling and distributing your Qurban.
Islamic Relief Australia recognises the various opinions in the Islamic tradition and welcomes all to fulfil this religious right in consultation with local scholars.
We do not require the names, as the practice of reciting the name upon sacrificing is logistically very difficult to fulfil due to the vast requests we receive during this season. This is like the practice of offering a sacrifice while on Hajj. The scholars have approved the sacrifice without the names if the intention of the person was made. We encourage everyone to make their intention when donating their Qurban.
No, as Islamic Relief is conducting hundreds of thousands of Qurbans around the world, this is practically not possible. It is also not necessary to give the name of the person, even if you are making a Qurban on behalf of someone else. If you have made the intention that you are giving this Qurban on behalf of a certain person that should be sufficient.
We select Qurban based on a scoring system according to need. The scoring system is based on the following objective criteria: families which live on less than the minimum income for that country – 40 points; female-headed households – 20 points; families with elderly persons or people with disabilities – 10 points; children under five years old – 5 points; pregnant women or lactating mothers – 5 points; families with little or no access to the market – 5 points. It is the policy of Islamic Relief to distribute only one Qurban meat pack to each family, regardless of family size.
We are not able to carry out Qurbans for specific orphans because the scale of the project would make this logistically difficult. Donors can still carry out a general Qurban through the normal channels and pay the normal price. However, orphans do represent a category of high priority in all our programs, and therefore, they not only benefit from donors’ sponsorship, but also from receiving other support and aid during Ramadan and Qurban.
The slaughter will take place on one of the days of Eid. If you give a Qurban on the second or third day of Eid, the Qurban will still be carried out on one of the days of Eid, as Islamic Relief has already purchased the animals to be slaughtered beforehand. Qurbans are carried out based on forecasts drawn. If necessary, modifications are made, and additional funds are transferred to the relevant country. In effect, donors are paying towards Qurbans which are already allocated.
